Defense sets the tone

Another game, another slow start, and another nagging doubt in the backs of IU (12-2, 3-0) fans’ minds, with Big Ten play now resumed.

The Hoosiers actually trailed by as many as 10 points Thursday to an Illinois (4-10, 0-3) team that looks like one of the league’s worst this season. Illinois’ last tune-up before coming to Bloomington was a home loss to Florida Atlantic, but the Illini gave their hosts fits early on.

It’s probably as accurate to say Indiana gave itself fits. The Hoosiers settled on offense and let Illinois start 7-of-11 from the floor on defense.

When the turnaround came, it started where it nearly always has this season — defensively. IU tightened up, and suddenly the Illini couldn’t score. At one point, they committed five turnovers in a row. Their lead dwindled slowly, then all at once. By halftime, the score was tied, and Indiana didn’t let up after the break, scoring the first eight points post-halftime.

The game turned when IU defended like it knows how to. That’s become a theme. It needs to be a repeatable formula for the Hoosiers.

Romeo lights up

Archie Miller promised more of Romeo Langford on the ball, acting like a point guard, after the new year. By the second half of Thursday’s game, he delivered.

Indiana handed its outstanding freshman the ball and let him attack, forcing the issue against an Illinois man-to-man defense that had no cover for him. So good was Langford, so uncontrollable, that the Illini sank into a zone just to discourage him.

Langford got to the free-throw line 15 times, and it could’ve been more. He finished from both sides of the rim and slashed past overplaying defenders. With several NBA scouts and at least one general manager, Atlanta’s Travis Schlenk, in attendance, he looked every inch the lottery pick, finishing with a career-high 28 points.

Justifiable concerns remain

Indiana just about got the credit it deserved for its perfect December, and the close, quality wins the month delivered. But the Hoosiers’ narrow victories, uninspired starts and penchant for sluggish periods of play all left some fans concerned. Thursday won’t have eased all those concerns.

There was that start, which kept an Assembly Hall crowd desperate to get involved in its collective seat. And there was the finish, when the Illini turned the game into a rock fight — a term Miller himself had used pregame to describe Illinois’ style — slowed the Hoosiers down and cut their lead to four.

IU eventually woke up, and pulled away in the game’s final minutes with free throws, but it was more difficult work than it should have been. This team is 10 games over .500 and has a perfect Big Ten start for the first time since the last time it won the league. But it’s fair to wonder when we’ll see the Hoosiers’ best, and it’s fair to be concerned if this is that, or anything close to it.

Indiana coach Archie Miller talks with Aljami Durham during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 73-65. Darron Cummings, AP

Indiana's Zach McRoberts (15) and Illinois' Andres Feliz reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, in Bloomington, Ind. Darron Cummings, AP

Illinois' Kipper Nichols (2) puts up a shot against Indiana's Juwan Morgan (13) and Romeo Langford (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, in Bloomington, Ind. Darron Cummings, AP